From the Executive Director
Springbringsrenewal,andtheVernonPublicArtGalleryisthrilledtoshowcase inspiringexhibitionsthatsparkreflection,imagination,andconnection.These exhibitionsalsoshowcasesomeoftheworkofournewCurator,VictoriaVerge Thisspring,wefeaturethreeremarkableshows:PortalstoElsewherebyAmy J Dyck,I’minthisWorld,DoingbyVivianSmith,andBloomingTogetherby theCoolArtsSociety Eachexhibitionoffersauniqueperspectiveonthemes likeresilience,imagination,andtheinvisiblelabourthatsustainsus.
AmyJ.Dyck’simmersiveinstallationinvitesustoexploreotherworldsand considerthewaysinwhichweenvision,andadaptto,newpossibilities.Vivian Smith’sworkpromptsreflectionontheoften-overlookedlabourthatstructures ourdailylives,connectingpersonalexperiencetobroadersocialsystems The CoolArtsSociety'sexhibitioncelebratescollaborationanddiversity, highlightingthejoyofsharedcreativitythroughavividcollectivevision.
Theseexhibitionsremindusofthetransformativepowerofarttobothenlighten andchallengeaswellasuniteus.Iencourageyoutovisitthegallery,explore theseworks,andsharetheexperiencewithfamilyandfriends Thisnotonly supportsourartistsbutalsostrengthensourcommunity’sculturalfabric
Also,IencourageyoutomarksavethedateofJuly15,2026,andjoinusto celebratethe40thanniversaryofMidsummer'sEveoftheArts!
Asalways,thankyoutoourmembers,donors,sponsors,volunteers,and visitorsformakingthegalleryaplaceofdiscovery,dialogue,andcreativity. Together,wecontinuetonurtureavibrantartscommunitythatreflectsour region’srichnessanddiversity
Ilookforwardtoseeingyouatthegallerythisspringandsharingthese inspiringexperienceswithyou
Fondly,
Portals to Elsewhere
Amy J. Dyck
March 20 - May 20, 2026
Topham Brown Memorial Gallery
The Vernon Public Art Gallery is pleased to present Portals to Elsewhere, the final stop for contemporary multimedia artist Amy J. Dyck’s immersive exhibition. Based in Langley, British Columbia, Dyck creates hybrid figures that merge human, animal, and mechanical forms, drawing from her lived experience with disability and chronic illness. Her practice combines classical approaches to anatomy and figurative painting with experimental mixed media processes, exploring the body as a vessel for memory, emotion, and resilience Dyck exhibits widely, with work held in private collections internationally, and has received multiple awards, including a Canada Council for the Arts grant in 2024. She is also a frequent podcast guest and speaker, and is currently working on a memoir examining art, illness, and endurance.
Portals to Elsewhere invites viewers into a dreamlike, psychological landscape of strange, shifting, and resilient beings At its heart is the Bed-Desk Series, a large circular installation that transforms the gallery into an immersive environment. Seven evolving figures suggest movement through time, while windows reocur as metaphors—portals to other spaces, reflection, and the possibility of transformation. Together, the works create an otherworldly space where both artist and viewer are invited to imagine new ways of belonging, resilience, and home
Amy J. DyckArtist Talk:April 18 | 1 pm th
Join the artist for a talk and a behind-the-scenes look at the exhibition.
AmyJ.Dyck, Blame Mosquito,2024,Ceramicwithreclaimedfur,fabricsandoilpaint. ImagecourtesyoftheArtist
I’m in this World, Doing Vivian Smith
March 20 - May 20, 2026
Caroline Galbraith, & Up-Front Galleries
I’m in This World, Doing exploresthehiddensystemsoflabourthatquietly sustaindailylifethroughtheworkofinterdisciplinaryartistVivianSmith Theexhibitionexaminesunpaidcarework,domesticlabour,andaffective labour,usingphotographsofSmithperformingeverydaytasks cleaning, cooking,andcaregiving embeddedintotextilesandobjects,transformed throughhand-stitching,quilting,resin,andsculpturalinstallation Inworks suchas Building Blocks,2024,imagesofcareandfinancialimageryare encasedinclearresincubeswithletteredwoodenblocksonwhite shelves,whichcanbehandledbyviewerswearinggloves
The exhibition presents acts of care as objects of artistic value, encouraging recognition of labour that often goes unseen and reflection on systemic change, including conversations around Universal Basic Income. Through layered, tactile installations, Smith transforms domestic labour into a space for contemplation and shows how essential work shapes society
Building Blocks, 2024,Photosoftheartistcaringforachild,financialimagery,resin, woodenblocks,3whiteshelves Photocredit:LeiaGuoPhotography
Blooming Together
Cool Arts Society
March 20 - May 16, 2026
Community Gallery
Blooming Together is a collaborative exhibition by the artists of Cool Arts Society that explores community, diversity, and collective growth The exhibition highlights how individual voices come together to form a vibrant, colourful, and ever-evolving whole.
At the centre of the gallery is a large collaborative artwork representing community as a shared landscape, built through layers, colours, and connections. Alongside this, a series of clay masks illustrates the diversity of identities, expressions, and perspectives within the group
The exhibition unfolds through three interconnected themes: Dream, Birth, and Growth. Jungle scenes inspired by Henri Rousseau evoke imagination and a dreamlike atmosphere, raised floral elements symbolize the birth of a growing community, and the collective compositions emphasize the strength that emerges through collaboration, inclusion, and shared creation.
DylanJeaurond, Dream Tiger (detail), 2026, acrylic on canvas
GetYourTickets
ProudlySponsoredBy: Stepinsidethegalleryafterhoursfora19+evening ofart,music,andcocktails.
322831Ave, Vernon 7:00PM10:00PM
APRIL17, 2026
Art Rental
DidyouknowtheVernonPublicArtGalleryoffersanArtRental program?Wefeatureacuratedselectionofartworksfromtalentedlocal artistsavailableforeveryonetopurchase.Forthoselookingformore flexibility,ourVPAGmembersenjoytheexclusivebenefitofourRent andRent-to-Ownprograms Artworkcanberentedforaminimumof3 monthsuptoamaximumof12.It’sagreatoptionforyourbusinessor homeandenablesyoutochangeupyourartfortheseasonsortotry beforeyoubuy.Rentalfeesvarybasedonthevalueoftheworkand maybeconsideredatax-deductiblebusinessexpense.
Torentanartwork,stopbythegallerytoviewourcurrentselectionand ourgiftshopattendantwillbehappytoassistyou Localartiststhat wouldliketosubmittheirartworktotheartrentalprogram,pleasesend submissionstoinfo@vernonpublicartgallery.com.Allsubmissionswill gothroughajuriedselectionprocesswithinthegalleryhowever,notall submissionswillbeaccepted.
JaneTanner, Spring Flood,2022,acryliconcanvas. Retailprice:$400 RentalPrice:$20/mo
createtheirownartworkalongsidetheirchildren.Eachsessionbegins withaguidedgallerytourtoexplorethecurrentexhibitions,followedby anartactivitybasedontheworksondisplay.Activitiesaredesignedfor allexperiencelevels,andallmaterialsfortheworkshopsareprovided.
Memberprices:$3perperson,&$10forfamilieswith4ormoremembers. Non-members:$5perperson,&$14forfamilieswith4ormoremembers.
Tours
Ourschoolprogramoffersexhibitiontoursandhands-onartactivities thatsupportthevisualartscurriculumwhilecreatingmeaningfulcrosscurricularconnectionstohelpteachers,parents,andeducatorsdevelop anintegratedapproachtolearning Eachtimethegallerypresentsa newexhibition,afreshtourandworkshopprogramiscreated,providing opportunitiesforyourclasstoreturnmultipletimesthroughoutthe schoolyearandexperienceacontinuallychangingrangeofartistic themes,materials,andideas.
RegionalReach
RegionalReachisatravelingarteducationprogramdesignedto supportschools,seniorcentres,andfamilyserviceorganizationsboth withinVernonandthesurroundingoutlyingcommunities.Theprogram ensuresthathigh-qualityartseducationandmeaningfulhands-on creativeexperiencesareaccessibletoeveryoneacrosstheNorth Okanagan,regardlessoflocation
Schooltourparticipantsactivelytakepartinanartactivityfollowingatourofthegallery.
RegionalReachisgenerouslysupportedby:
Visitorsengagewithworksfrompastexhibition –September2025)and(right) Populated byM
Leaving a Lasting Le
You don’t have to be retired or a m legacy The Vernon Public Art Galle Planned Giving Workshop that will can grow your hard-earned estate, impact on the community.
In this free one-hour session, you will learn: What planned giving is and how it works
Legal and tax-saving strategies
Steps you can take today for lifetime income How the Gallery can be part of your legacy
Upcoming Dates
May 13, 2026 Tue | 4:30–5:30 pm
Sept 17, 2026 Thu | 1:00–2:00 pm
Nov 16, 2026 — Tue | 4:30–5:30 pm
Register Today
Tolearnmoreandregisterforthenextsession,visit vernonpublicartgallery.com/leaving-a-lasting-legacyorscantheQRcode
Volunteersassistwithguestcheck-in,welcomingattendeesandensuringasmootharrival experienceatMidsummer’sEveoftheArts(2025) Photocredit:SVOIMedia
Join the team for the 40th Annual MEA!
This milestone event is powered by the passion and energy of our volunteers, and we’d love for you to help us make this our best year yet.
Find Your Role: Before, During, or After
Whether you want to help in the months leading up, during the big night, or with the final wrap-up, we have a role that fits your schedule and skills.
Pre-Event (April–July): Outreach, canvassing, and auction prep
The Day Before (July 14): Setup and prep
The Big Day (July 15): Setup, decor, hosting, bartending, art running, and tech support
The Wrap-Up (July 16): Venue takedown and morning-after cleanup.
Readytogetstarted?Visit https://vernonpublicartgallery.com/event/mea orscantheQRcode Register Today
Become a Gallery Member
BeingamemberoftheVernonPublicArtGalleryisavitalinvestmentin yourcommunity,sustainingtheexhibitions,programs,andeducational initiativesthatmakethevisualartsaccessibletoeveryone.Your supportbuildsconnectionsandinvestsintheculturalvibrancyofthe entireregion.
Ifyouarelookingtodeepenyourconnectiontothevisualartsandjoin acommunityoffellowenthusiasts,VPAGmembershipistheright choice.Everymemberenjoysessentialbenefits,includingyear-round news,a10%discountintheGalleryShop,anddiscountedrateson programsandspecialevents.Membershipalsoprovidesunique opportunities,suchasaccesstotheArtRentalProgram,achanceto exhibitintheannualMembers’Exhibition,andfreeordiscountedentry tootherculturalinstitutionsthroughtheRegionalReciprocalProgram. Weoffervariousmembershiplevelsdesignedtosuiteveryartlover, fromstudentsandindividualstofamiliesandcorporatesupporters. Eachlevelprovidesauniquewaytosupporttheartsandgainvaluable access,includingourhighestPhilanthropytierforthosewhowishto makealastingleadershipimpact.
Alookbackatvisitorsengagingwithworksfromtheexhibitionstep, slither, and scroll bySage Sidley,ondisplayfromfromMarch16thtoMay17th,2023
AlookbackatagallerytourexploringLyndalOsborne’sexhibition Coevolution (October13–December21,2016).
Sponsorship Oppurtunities
As the largest public gallery in the North Okanagan, the Vernon Public Art Gallery (VPAG) connects our community to the visual arts through approximately 20 exhibitions, impactful community programs, and signature events each year. Your sponsorship directly supports art education, exhibitions, and events that inspire creativity, foster cultural tourism, and enrich the lives of thousands
Why Arts & Culture Matter
Strengthen Community & Tourism – Arts events attract visitors, enhance Vernon’s cultural identity, and support local businesses.
Foster Creativity & Innovation – Arts programs cultivate imagination, problem-solving, and collaboration across all sectors
Support Youth & Personal Growth – Programs like Crit Club, Family Saturdays, and Mini Artists develop confidence and connection through art.
Drive Economic Growth – The arts contribute millions to our region’s economy, supporting jobs and local spending
For more information please email admin@vernonpublicartgallery.com
ExecutiveDirectorDaunaKennedy(left)andCuratorVictoriaVergespeakatanopeningreception onMarch19,2026.
Board of Directors
SarahKennedy,President
KyleBritton,Treasurer
Anne-MarieClancy
JayGilman
LouiseMcguire
Staff
DaunaKennedy–ExecutiveDirector
VictoriaVerge–Curator
DestanneNorris
BonnieThomas
Sigrid-AnnThors
EdwardWoolley
LubosCulen–CuratorEmeritus&FacilityAdvisor
AsanaHughes–Preparator
JordanMacDonald–EducationCoordinator
SamanthaAhize–EducationCoordinator(Onleave)
TomKnight–Bookkeeper
MandiIrmen–Development&AdminCoordinator
ChantelleBullen–GalleryAttendant
GwynnethTansey–Marketing&EventsCoordinator
JamesJennings–Digital&GraphicDesign
